When Camilla Szelazek's sister told her about SUNY Reconnect, a tuition-free community college program that would be starting this fall, it sounded like the perfect opportunity. She enrolled, and is thriving in her first semester in Onondaga Community College's Nursing program. "It feels really good. I love school and I love learning. Without this opportunity, I wouldn't have been able to go back to school."
SUNY Reconnect is a new, free community college program for students between the ages of 25 and 55 who have not yet earned a college degree. SUNY Reconnect covers the cost of tuition, fees, books, and supplies after all other financial aid is applied. When New York State Governor Kathy Hochul was rallying support for the program, she came to the Onondaga Community College campus in January 2025. OCC student Josh Barr shared his story, and how much such a program would help him. The program was approved by the New York State Legislature a few months later.
Szelazek had previously attended college after high school, but left when her mother was diagnosed with cancer and ultimately passed away. She also enrolled at OCC years ago but didn't find the right academic fit and eventually left.
For the past several years she has been working, including the last four years at the Fairmount Wegmans where she is still employed. When she heard about SUNY Reconnect, she decided to come back to OCC for Nursing. "I wanted to go into the healthcare profession. Nursing is in high demand. I felt it was where I fit - it was my niche."
Now at age 40, Szelazek says she's proud to set an example for other nontraditional students. "I'm extremely grateful. I want to make proper use of this opportunity and show that people who are older can go back to college and pursue their careers and their dreams, and that age is not a factor. You can alter your life in a good way at any phase of your life."
